Moving to Pennsylvania? Find Out How to Get Connected
Three recent arrivals share how they plugged into their new community.
Moving to a new city is exciting! You’re met with different scenery, fresh opportunities and a wealth of places to explore. But it also means you probably need to make new friends, find your way around and get connected to your new hometown. Thankfully, if you’re moving to Pennsylvania, becoming part of a community comes easily. The state boasts a variety of organizations and programs you can join, and residents are friendly and eager to help newcomers find their way.
Ahead, meet three individuals who successfully relocated to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, planted roots and got connected.
Jacob Glensor
Relationship Manager, Univest Bank and Trust Co.
Though originally from Maryland, Glensor moved to Pennsylvania for college, attending Messiah University in Mechanicsburg. After graduating in spring 2017, he decided to stay in the commonwealth for his career, but he also enjoyed the community aspect found in Central Pennsylvania.
Augusto (Gus) Torres
Financial Wellness Consultant at PNC Bank
Torres was born and raised in Argentina and moved to the United States at age 23. Originally, he lived in Utah, where he met his future wife. They moved to Pennsylvania in May 2016 to be close to family after the birth of their first son.
Mabel Bachini
Career Fulfillment Coach, Mabel B LLC
Bachini grew up in the United Kingdom, but in 2020, she relocated to Texas, where her mother had moved in 2004. After looking for a place that felt more like home, she and her family moved to Pennsylvania in April 2021.
What brought you to Pennsylvania?
Glensor: Each day I lived in Lancaster, I felt like I was a part of a greater community of people who wanted the best for one another over personal achievement. It continues to be a special place that seeks to bring out the very best in everyone with the end goal to better the community.
Torres: I am from Argentina, and my wife is from the Lancaster area. We were living in Utah at the time, and when we had our first son, it became difficult because we didn’t have much support, so we decided to move to Lancaster.
I was excited to move here, not only to be close to family, but when we visited, it felt like a place with much to offer. It is a small town with much to do, and it’s close enough to many big cities if we need to go somewhere. Central Pennsylvania has many great outdoor activities and places to visit, which was a big part of the decision moving away from Utah.
Bachini: It was family. After being in Austin for a year, I wanted to move to the East Coast and started looking around Philadelphia. My mom and I decided it was nice living closer to each other, and she’d been wanting to move out of Austin for a long time, so we decided to move to the East Coast together and found Lancaster.
What do you love about Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
Glensor: In Lancaster, people want to cheer others along and encourage them to do better. I can think of mentors and strangers I met who helped me land my first job (and subsequent jobs). Many community-based organizations are willing to help their neighbors.
Torres: Lancaster is a small town with a lot to offer and is a key location to accessing large metropolitan areas. Everything you need is here without the hustle.
Bachini: Lancaster had many similarities to England – its rich history, walkability, and mix of city and nature. This area is a foodie town. My parents had a restaurant for years in Texas. Food is a big part of our lives.
How did you get connected in the community?
Glensor: I asked anyone I met about their unique hobbies and interests. People love to talk about what they’re doing and bring you into that excitement. I was never afraid to ask, and doors opened.
Torres: The Spanish American Civic Association was key in how I played my role and understood this community. I used my knowledge of finances to host seminars that helped my community learn but also helped me get connected.
Bachini: The Candy Factory offered a great coworking space, but because it’s also a social club, there were many events I could participate in.
What advice do you have for newcomers looking to get connected?
Glensor: Ask your co-workers what they’re involved in and get plugged into things you feel passionate about.
Torres: Your co-workers and company might be a part of an organization where you can build off that connection. For me, specifically, there were many resources internally at my company to get me connected, like the chamber of commerce and our young professionals’ network.
Find an association or a young professionals’ network, join a nonprofit mission and continue doing your hobbies. I am Hispanic, so participating in the Spanish American Civic Association felt right. But something I found particularly helpful was continuing my hobbies. If you like doing something, like playing soccer, join a league. It might not be related to the professional or corporate world, but you can connect and build relationships.
Bachini: I used Facebook to join interest groups, and I spent a few years in the local improv comedy community as a result. I also found the Meetup app helpful. You can message members and invite them to get a coffee – it’s how I met a good friend. This is also helpful if you’re attending networking events. You can invite someone to go with you, which can be beneficial.
Get out to your downtown, walk around and talk to people. Especially in Lancaster, everyone likes to chat. It’s a great way to get to know your community.
This article was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
